Taieri Recreational Tramping Club

1. Halo Project Planting Combined Leader: Jill

Wednesday proved to be warm balmy day, when 35 eager TRTC members met at Long Beach  to give a few hours volunteering  on DOC reclaimed land behind the sand dunes .
We were met by the project manager, Jeanne, who was very well organized with equipment ready for us to start after morning tea.

Getting ready to get started Caption and photo John

This is how it’s done Caption and photo Phil

The work involved was digging holes, planting natives and flaxes and making protective heavy cardboard collar’s to go around the newly planted specimens.

Great teamwork Caption and photo Raewyn

They thought they were just the best Caption and photo Ady

Photo Margreet

When the project is completed there will be about 38000 plantings (we did approx 800).  Since starting last year, the success rate is 85-90ish%.
There were a couple of other small groups volunteering like a team building exercise.

Photo Barbara

We deserve a walk to the beach Caption and photo Phil

Lunch was on the beach but, unbeknown to us, a young sealion appeared from the dunes behind ready to share time with some of the group.  This really did give them one big fright, so our lunchtime was shortened.

The smell of salmon sandwiches brings a young sea lion from out of hiding Caption and photo John

We did continue down the beach a little further before heading back to the cars.

Continuing after lunch along lovely Long Beach Caption and photo Marjke

Some of us went to a quirky little cafe Santosha in Port Chalmers.
I think we all enjoyed the experience and especially being able to help with a community project. Perhaps another time.
Thanks to John for his help and support.